Program Evaluation KnowledgeBase

This KnowledgeBase archive includes content and external links that were accurate and relevant as of September 30, 2019.

The Program Evaluation KnowledgeBase is an online resource aiding education professionals in understanding the basics of project evaluation in order to properly assess projects and programs. It is organized around three elements to assist educators with their program evaluation.

Task 1: Write the Report

Guideline: Once the evaluation is completed, the next task is to compile the findings and recommendations report. Doing so is necessary to have a document of record to communicate with constituency groups and monitor performance. The evaluation team might assign the task to a sub group or designate one individual to create a draft document for review. As many constituencies may view the report, it is helpful to utilize an easy to follow format and minimize the use of technical language and buzz words.

Resources

Tools

Evaluation Report Outline

This tool from The Community Toolbox is as an example of the type of content found in a typical evaluation report.

Practical tips

Representation of Data

Edward Tufte, author of The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, suggests eight practices to consider to assure the accurate representation of visual data.

Statistics Every Writer Should Know

This resource describes in "plain English, some basic concepts in statistics that every writer should know."

The Fog Index

The Fog index was developed by Robert Gunning to measure how hard something is to read. His Fog Index in The Technique of Clear Writing (McGraw-Hill) is considered the most reliable formula for testing your writing. It is not an index of how good your writing is, but of how easy it is to understand. Using the index, grant administrators can test the communications they send to constituent groups.

Writing the Report

This six page document is one of 18 lectures based on the book Educational Research Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed Approaches. The lectures were written by the author as a supplement to the text. This lecture describes the major parts of a research report and offers advice on writing the report itself.

References

Just Plain Data Analysis

This link is to the companion website to the book Just Plain Data Analysis authored by Gary Klass, Department of Politics and Government, Illinois State University. The website addresses research design, data collection, data analysis and data presentation employed in empirical social science research.